Brazil, BA (Hons) Business and Marketing Management
“The teachers: they have many years' experience working with business, in marketing and management, so they don't just teach us the theory from the books; they teach us the experience that they have from their working life.”
What would you say is the best thing about your course?
Definitely the teachers: they have many years' experience working with business, in marketing and management, so they don't just teach us the theory from the books; they teach us the experience that they have from their working life.
What do you think of the learning facilities that are available at Oxford Brookes?
The library is fantastic; it's great. Obviously some books are not available in certain numbers - they can't keep 300 copies of a book - but if you can't get it at the library you can go online and find a used book on the internet. In Brazil, books are three times the price that they are here, so it's much easier to have the knowledge and theory in your reach here. You can have 20 to 30 references in your assignment because you can get at those books.
In terms of classrooms they are great; we have no problems with them. Also, I can always find a computer free - if I can't find one in a certain block, I'll go to another one. The people on the IT desk are so helpful - they will get up and take you to another place if they need to.
Have you done a work placement?
Yes, I worked at Reuters in London, at Canary Wharf, for 5 weeks in the summer last year. It was challenging - frightening but challenging at the same time!
How do you feel your course has prepared you for the future?
I think the University prepares you for your career. They have careers fairs, and lots of employers coming to visit. They send you emails to let you know that this is happening and they have lots of support through the alumni.
Brookes offers you extra courses if you want as well. I am doing the IDM, the certificate for marketing, which is outside of the University but because I am from Brookes, I pay only 10% of the cost of this exam. It adds to my CV so it's definitely something that makes me think "wow, they are really supporting me". They don't just want me as a student; they want me to do well in my future when I finish.
What do you like most about living in Oxford as a city?
I think the whole atmosphere of Oxford - you breathe knowledge, you breathe culture in Oxford. I love going to the museums and they are free, which is something that students have as an extra. It's not just a great city with history; it also has lots of places where you can learn different things. You meet so many great people and there are many clubs and restaurants for going out. It has the whole package, Oxford.
Would you recommend Brookes to other international students?
Definitely, because it's so welcoming. In my first week here I could see posters saying we have students from 145 nationalities. It is so nice to see that you don't have that barrier of saying "oh, you don't speak English; you can't come in". I have learned a great deal here throughout my two years, and Oxford is such a great city.